Method of using a dual refractive drape

Abstract

Method of using a drape is described for use in various ophthalmic surgeries including refractive eye surgery. The drape can be configured in at least sixteen different ways for both single or bilateral eye surgical procedures. The drape includes an adhesive liner that acts as a cover for the non-surgical eye. A tent portion is also provided that allows the patient to blink or comfortably keep open the covered non-surgical eye. Allowing the patient to blink or keep open the covered non-surgical eye gives support or assists in fixation of the surgical eye. The drape is also positions the apertures are on the lower half of the drape in order to leave the bottom of the nose and mouth uncovered for patient comfort. An adhesive liner may be provided with the drape for allowing coverage of the non-surgical eye.

What is claimed is:  
     
       1. A method of using a dual refractive drape for eye surgery on a patient, comprising the steps of: 
       providing a drape of the type having a sheet including a top, a bottom, a side, a right aperture, and a left aperture therethrough; the sheet further defining at least one first perforation and at least one second perforation such that the first perforation is positioned between and about the right and the left apertures, and the second perforation is positioned such that the apertures are divided by the second perforation, the drape having a tent portion formed about the second perforation for providing a clearance portion between an eye and the drape;  
       holding the drape;  
       configuring the drape in one of at least sixteen different shapes and physical arrangements to form the desired drape configuration for the specific eye surgery; and  
       positioning the drape on the patient such that the tent portion provides clearance between the eye and the drape.  
     
     
       2. The method of  claim 1 , further comprising the step of protecting the patient and surgeon from scatter rays and projectile debris due to laser ablation. 
     
     
       3. The method of  claim 1 , further comprising the steps of covering the non-surgical eye and allowing the patient to blink the non-surgical eye in comfort to facilitate eye fixation of the surgical eye. 
     
     
       4. The method of  claim 1 , wherein said configuration step further includes the steps of separating said sheet along said first perforation and separating said sheet along said second perforation. 
     
     
       5. The method of  claim 1 , wherein said configuration step further includes the step of separating said sheet along said first perforation. 
     
     
       6. The method of  claim 1 , wherein said configuration step further includes the step of separating said sheet along said second perforation. 
     
     
       7. The method of  claim 1 , wherein said positioning step further includes the steps of removing a peel card to allow exposure of an adhesive layer and securing said drape to the patient by said adhesive layer. 
     
     
       8. The method of  claim 1 , further including the step of removing the drape from the patient. 
     
     
       9. The method of  claim 8 , wherein said removal step further includes the steps of reconfiguring said drape to another one of at least sixteen different shapes and physical arrangements to form the desired drape configuration for the specific eye surgery and repositioning said drape on the patient. 
     
     
       10. The method of  claim 1 , further comprising the steps of removing an adhesive liner from said drape and exposing the surgical eye. 
     
     
       11. The method of  claim 10 , wherein said removal step further includes the step of replacing said adhesive liner on said drape and covering the surgical eye. 
     
     
       12. The method of  claim 11 , further comprising the steps of removing an adhesive liner from said drape and exposing the non-surgical eye. 
     
     
       13. The method of  claim 1 , further comprising the step of providing a clearance portion between the eye and said sheet to facilitate eye fixation. 
     
     
       14. A method of using a dual refractive drape for eye surgery on a patient, comprising the steps of: 
       providing a drape of the type having a sheet including a top, a bottom, a side, a right aperture, and a left aperture therethrough; the sheet further defining at least one first perforation and at least one second perforation such that the first perforation is positioned between and about the right and the left apertures, and the second perforation is positioned such that the apertures are divided by the second perforation, the drape having a tent portion formed about the second perforation for providing a clearance portion between an eye and the drape;  
       holding the drape;  
       configuring the drape in one of at least sixteen different shapes and physical arrangements to form the desired drape configuration for the specific eye surgery;  
       covering the non-surgical eye and allowing the patient to blink the non-surgical eye in comfort to facilitate eye fixation of the surgical eye; and  
       positioning the drape on the patient such that the tent portion provides clearance between the eye and the drape.  
     
     
       15. The method of  claim 14 , further including the step of removing an adhesive liner. 
     
     
       16. The method of  claim 15 , wherein said removal step further includes the step of exposing the surgical eye.